As we approach another round of midterm elections, we wanted to introduce you to one of the few nurses around the country that hopes to represent her state in Congress. Renee Ellmers is running again in North Carolina after previously serving three terms and she’s doing so with the goal of improving access to healthcare in our country. We’ll also discuss why it matters to have nurses representing our profession as elected leaders and how it might have made a difference in a recent ruling in Tennessee. 

How to help Renee's campaign: https://www.reneeellmers.com/ 

Read more: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 

Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

What we discuss in this episode: 

2:18 – Renee’s view of healthcare and why she’s running  

5:45 – Why nurses make good elected officials

7:06 – Getting full practice authority

9:08 – Quality of care

11:57 – Restrictions lifted during COVID

13:59 – What can be done?  

16:57 – Current nurses in politics

19:03 – Why are nurses elected more?

21:58 – Surprises in Washington

23:24 – Nurse in Tennessee convicted

27:54 – Did the lack of representation impact the ruling?

29:35 – The precedent it set

32:05 – How nurses can help her

35:23 – Advice for nurses

37:09 – Lightning Round